10.24.2012

NOT TOO HETERO-NORMATIVE

The last time Titus Andronicus released an album they sold out the
Bowery Ballroom. For their new album they decided to bring it home in
a sense and have the release at the Brooklyn DIY venue Shea Stadium,
which was founded by one of the band members, Adam Reich. I was told
this show sold out in thirteen minutes. It also has the capacity of
all the Bowery's bathrooms combined, so that kind of makes sense.
Fellow New Jersey-ians Liquor Store and Dan Friel (of Parts & Labor)
opened, with Friel slowly winning the audience over with his raucous
electronic-distortion dance rock.

Titus Andronicus took to the stage and proceeded to plow through the
longest set in their history, as stated by the lead singer, Patrick
Stickles. Comprised of a good mix of new songs, classics from their
first album and a cover for good measure—it was a marathon of moshing,
crowd surfing and crazed fans that seemed to know every word to every
song. They also played an unrecorded song for the first time live,
"I've Got a Date Tonight," where the preface involved one of the band
members sharing a kiss with another guy in the crowd (and a comment
about not being too hetero-normative around here). Another highlight
was the drummer's father getting on stage and busting out his
harmonica for a song. The vibe was overwhelmingly positive, and the
euphoria seemed to spill over and continue into the rest of the night.
Once the set was over, which was pretty late for a Monday night,
people stuck around to get the band to sign their new record, and
surprisingly even for a dance party.